2007 - Lavenham Leisure
2006 - Micron Sprayers Ltd
2006 - Spectrum Technologies PLC
2005 - BananaStock
2005 - BUPA International
2005 - Dansco Dairy Products
2005 - Martek Marine
2005 - Nitecrest
2005 - Noahs Ark Chemicals
2005 - Powershield Doors
2005 - Tilhill Forestry
2005 - Tracero
2005 - University Of Westminster
2004 - CSR
2004 - PestWest
2004 - The Macallan Distillers
2004 - The McAvoy Group
2004 - Ward Shoes

Lavenham Leisure

Lavenham Leisure has been able to secure new Japanese customers since winning its first Queen's Award in 2002. The Japanese are noted for their respect for The Queen, and the company’s agent in Japan has been able to use the Award in pitching for business. This has made it easier for the agent to get that all-important first order with new customers.  The company now sell to eight countries, the principal one being Japan which accounts for 92% of total exports.

New markets were established recently in USA, Singapore, Belgium and Spain.  Nicky Santomauro, Director, says "We are pleased to have won another Queen's Award - for International Trade - because it means that we can continue to use it in our marketing."

Business: quilted horse rugs and quilted country clothing
Location: Suffolk
Employees: 86

BACK TO TOP


Micron Sprayers Ltd

The Company started trading in 1954 and won the International Trade Award in 2006. They won their first Queen’s Award – The Queen’s Award to Industry as it was then – once before, in 1975. They manufacture agricultural equipment for crop protection. They specialise in the development of safe and efficient portable rotary atomiser sprayers to help boost the productivity of smallholder farmers in the Third World, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. They regularly export to over 60 countries, of which Africa accounts for around 50%. Overseas sales have increased by 110% between 2002-2004 despite trading in many markets that are regarded as “difficult”. Most of their production is exported (over 90%). Tom Bals, Chairman, said “As a result of achieving our Queen’s Award, our sales figures have increased. We think it’s the most prestigious award we have been given by far as it is a recognition of international success and a good marketing tool.”

Business: Manufacture agricultural equipment for crop protection
Location: Herefordshire
Employees: 47

BACK TO TOP


Spectrum Technologies PLC

Spectrum Technologies PLC this year won its third Queen's Award for International Trade. The company, established in 1989, manufactures industrial laser systems, and makes laser wire marking, stripping and wire processing systems used in the manufacture and maintenance of complex aircraft wiring.

The Award was won for selling nearly all of its production overseas to more than 35 countries throughout the world, using a key account management system to develop and nurture relations with its major customers. Its outstanding export sales amount to £13.5 million over three years and have increased by 79%, while 19 new jobs have been created.

"Winning the Queen's Award is a great shot in the arm for employee morale," said Dr Peter Dickinson, Chairman and CEO. "It’s a real accolade and an indication of success at the very top level."

"We were particularly badly hit by 9/11 as we operate predominantly in the international aerospace market so we are exceptionally proud of having won this award for a third time. It shows how all the hard work put in by our employees since then has enabled us to really bounce back. It provides a welcome acknowledgement of our achievements sending a message not only to employees but to customers as well."

Business: Laser Wire Processing Technology
Location: Wales
Employees: 47

BACK TO TOP



BananaStock

BananaStock has won the Queen's Award (for International Trade) for the first time for its rapid growth in export markets. From its base in Oxfordshire, the company has established a worldwide network of non-exclusive distributors for its royalty-free photography CD-Roms and single images for the advertising and editorial markets. It now has 132 distributors in over 70 countries, with main markets in the US, France, Germany and Australia.

"We did a lot of PR around winning the Award and it helped us strengthen credibility" comments Mark Butler, Sales and Marketing Director. "We deal with hundreds of companies worldwide and emailed them all with the news. Many of our distributors congratulated us on winning, and interviews in the local papers helped us to raise the profile of the company in the local area.

"We have also been to two exhibitions since, and featured the Queen's Awards logo on the stand. It certainly gives us something else to talk about to visitors, and anything that sets you aside from the competition has got to be great for business.

Business: royalty-free images
Location: South East
Employees: 9

BACK TO TOP



BUPA International

This is the second time BUPA International has won a Queen's Award for International Trade, the first in 1999 and this time for continuous improvement between 1998 and 2003. Based in Brighton, BUPA International is the largest expatriate health insurer in the world. It has nearly 300,000 members from 190 different countries, and over the past six years export earnings have more than doubled.

"Even for an organisation of our size, it is good for business to have such prestigious independent third-party recognition as leader in the field," says Managing Director Keith Biddlestone. "It gives people peace of mind that we are solid, reliable and trustworthy - that isn't always true of insurers in some parts of the world.

"We find it is recognised everywhere, and is a very good sales tool to encourage new brokers to work with us. It gives the whole company a lift, and helps with retention and recruitment - people want to work for a responsible and successful operation.

"I would definitely recommend that other businesses enter for a Queen's Award - it is hard work and competitive, but well worth the effort."

Business: private health insurance
Location: South East
Employees: 304

BACK TO TOP



Dansco Dairy Products

For 27 years the Welsh company, Dansco Dairy Products, has been selling mozzarella cheese and other dairy products. Exports now account for 20% of turnover - a remarkable achievement for an industry with historically very low overseas sales.

A 105% increase in exports over the application period won Dansco the Queen's Award, as well as significant new business in markets as diverse as China, Taiwan, Bermuda and Algeria. Employment increased by 30% over the same period.

"We've had positive feedback from a wide range of customers,' says Sales Manager David Page. "We sent a letter to customers in the Far and Middle East who were unlikely to see any publicity, and many have replied with congratulations, and even more have said well done on the phone.

"We invited a lot of our direct supply farmers to our presentation. The dairy industry is having a difficult time at the moment, and it was really good to be positive and show them we are pushing sales to get the best value for their milk. It was great for morale.

"We go to the major food show each year, and will certainly use the logo on our stand. It's all about packaging, showing we are a quality provider, with quality people and winning a quality award."

Business: dairy products
Location: Wales
Employees: 169

BACK TO TOP



Martek Marine

Martek Marine is very proud to have won a double Queen's Award on the first time of entering. The Rotherham-based company manufactures safety and environmental monitoring systems for ships and has only been trading since 2000. It won the International Trade Award for increasing annual overseas earnings from £250,000 to £3 million in just three years, and the Innovation Award for designing a water ingress detection system.

"Since the Awards we have launched a new premium product and having the Queen's Award separated us out as a leading supplier, justifying the premium price," says Paul Luen, Managing Director.

"We were amazed at how many people contacted us following all the publicity we received, including new business partners, who saw the news articles and got in touch."

"It has also been great for staff morale, and will really improve the standard and quantity of applicants when we advertise new jobs."

Business: safety and environmental monitoring systems for ships
Location: Yorkshire and Humberside
Employees: 28

BACK TO TOP



Nitecrest

A rise of 191% in export sales over the past three years was one of the achievements that secured Leyland-based Nitecrest its first Queen's Award. Overseas sales of its mobile phone, credit and loyalty cards now account for 57% of production, and since 2002 the company has established sales in an impressive 44 new markets. At the same time the workforce has increased by one third.

"We're competing in a very tough market," says Production Director Kathryn Jeffers. "We're bidding for very large tenders, often against companies from countries in the Far East like China where labour costs are much lower. The Queen's Award gives us an edge. It demonstrates that our systems are robust, particularly in terms of security. Some of the markets we sell to have poor records of fraud - our customers need to know we guarantee our systems, and the third party endorsement of our business reinforces that.

"Many of the buyers we deal with around the world are ex-pats, and they recognise the Queen's Award and know how strict the criteria are.

"Meanwhile at home, it reassures our suppliers that we are a successful growing company, which helps us to continue sourcing the majority of our raw materials in the UK."

Business: phone, credit and loyalty cards
Location: North West
Employees: 150

BACK TO TOP



Noahs Ark Chemicals

Noahs Ark Chemicals has achieved a remarkable feat - it won the Queen's Award for its very first three years of trading since being founded in Cambridge in 2001. The company exports bulk and specialty chemicals mostly to EU countries but also to the US, Singapore, China, Switzerland and to markets in South America.

"We are not the ICI or BP of this world, but when I present my business card with the Queen's Award emblem to the likes of ICI and BP, they take me seriously - it enhances my credibility," says General Manager Bharat Bhardwaj. "Most major companies sell 80% of their goods on their name - we are only a small company so the Queen's Awards really helps our reputation.

"Critically, the Award has also really boosted our standing at the bank. When they see that in three years we have grown from £2 million turnover to £3 million and now £10 million, they might think we are growing too quickly, so the independent audit and the review by the Queen's Award panel is crucial. They now want to double our credit lines - it normally takes a lot longer to increase lines to that extent."

Business: trading company
Location: East
Employees: 4

BACK TO TOP



Powershield Doors

Founded in 1989, Powershield Doors only started exporting in 2000, but already more than half of total revenue comes from overseas. Based in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, Powershield makes steel doors and steel framed glazing for manufacturing plants, offices and other complex buildings. It began exporting to the Irish Republic and now sells to Hong Kong, Singapore, Oman and West Africa.

"The Award has definitely helped from a PR point of view," says Brian Sofley, Sales Director. "We expected it to help spotlight export markets, but it is remarkable what an impact it has had on the domestic market. A number of our customers are previous winners themselves, and they in particular recognise the amount of effort that goes into winning - they know the Awards are not just handed out.

"We did not have a strong market presence in the past, but the Queen's Award adds greatly to our new marketing initiative. It sets us apart from our competitors and customers are always impressed."

Business: manufacturer doors and steel framed glazing
Location: Northern Ireland
Employees: 68

BACK TO TOP



Tilhill Forestry

Tilhill Forestry quadrupled its overseas earnings over three years and created 45 new jobs to warrant a Queen's Award. The forestry management company exports virgin wood fibre harvested as part of its domestic forestry industry activities.

"Although we are based in Stirling, we are a national business with small units scattered all over the UK - the Award has provided a powerful unifying theme for our people," says Matthew Rivers, Managing Director. "The whole business feels more strongly that we are acting as a single entity with common purpose''.

"We're also a wholly-owned subsidiary, and it has helped us gain recognition from colleagues in other countries as well as extra credibility with our clients.''

"I would recommend it to any business. It's a relatively modest effort for a substantial payback."

Business: forestry management
Location: Scotland
Employees: 409

BACK TO TOP



Tracerco

The Queen's Award for International Trade follows hot on the heels of an Innovation Award in 2003 for Tracerco. The company provides diagnostic services and specialist measurement solutions to the process industry, from oil and gas recovery through to chemical manufacture.

Tracerco has headquarters in Teesside, as well as sites in Aberdeen, Houston in Texas , Norway, Canada, Brazil and Australia. Over the application period it has achieved a massive growth in markets such as Brazil, Nigeria, China, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, the Middle East and South East Asia.

"The Award has helped us to gain extra recognition in overseas markets. It is highly regarded by many of our export customers and also enhances our reputation with our peers in the oil and gas industry," says Managing Director; Andy Hurst.

"Another benefit is the tremendous boost it gives to staff morale, especially those that spend so much of their time abroad. It's a great motivator and allows them to be proud of our success."

Business: process services and solutions
Location: North East
Employees: 95

BACK TO TOP



University Of Westminster

This is the University of Westminster's second Award, and recognises the continuing steady expansion of overseas earnings, rising 31% in three years to £23.3 million. Undergraduate and postgraduate students now come from all over the world to follow the University's higher education courses, particularly from China, the US, Nigeria.

"The second Award demonstrates the sustainability of our approach, following a strategy of achieving long-tem sustainable growth" says Dr Maurits van Rooijen, Vice President International Strategy and Development.

"Education is not like most commerce. Reputation is the key to everything, and the Award gives us a lot of added credibility. We always stress the fact that it is not just for the numbers alone - the Awards judge the way we do things, that we are ethical, sustainable and innovative.

"Within the University itself, the Award has also had a great impact. Our overseas operation can sometimes be seen as separate, but we cannot attract overseas students without delivery on the ground. The Award helps everyone to buy into the concept and pull together better at every level."

Business: education
Location: London
Employees: 1520

BACK TO TOP



CSR

Most people have heard of CSR's Bluetooth technology and millions around the world now use CSR's BlueCoreTM wireless silicon chips in their mobile phones, personal computers and many other consumer products. Overseas revenues grew by more than six times in the three years to December 2002, earning the company the Queen's Award for International Trade in 2004.

"We are very proud to have won," says Co-Founder and Commercial Director Dr Phil O'Donovan. "It affirmed CSR as a significant exporter, and recognised our success".

CSR plc floated on the London Stock Exchange in February 2004 and became a FTSE 250 company four months afterwards. Dr O'Donovan adds: "Of our three constituencies - staff, customers and investors - the Queen's Award is probably best recognised in the City. As a FTSE 250 company it is important that CSR's export achievements are recognised and the Queen's Award is viewed very positively by analysts and investors".

"We also received a lot of local publicity at the time as well as a couple of small items in the nationals. Having a Queen's Award raises our profile, and we are delighted to have it. It is an Award well worth applying for."

Business: silicon chips
Location: East
Employees: 113 in 2004 when the Award was made and currently over 600 including CSR's latest acquisition in July 2005.

BACK TO TOP



Pestwest Electronics

Pestwest Electronics manufactures and distributes electronic units which control flying insects by using ultraviolet light, and won the Award for doubling overseas sales in six years. Pestwest now sells to over 70 countries from its base in Ossett, West Yorkshire, and has a subsidiary company in the US.

"The Award gives us fantastic kudos overseas, particularly in the US and Japan, and has helped cement all our relationships," says Heather Thompson, Marketing Manager.

"We sent out correspondence to new and potential customers telling them about the Award, and many congratulated us. The Award implies longevity, and in markets like Japan that is especially important.

"In the UK too, it is a marvellous accolade, and has definitely brought us new business. One web-based company saw the publicity around the Award and contacted us - it is now one of our distributors."

Business: insect control equipment
Location: Yorkshire and Humberside
Employees: 25

BACK TO TOP



The Macallan Distillers

Phenomenal growth in export markets has won The Macallan Distillers a sixth Queen's Award. Exports of its single malt Scotch whiskies increased by 69% over the application period to average 70% of total sales.

"We would like to win every year," says Company Secretary Fraser Morrison. "However, our product volumes have to be decided 10, 12 or 25 years in advance as the whisky has to lie down to mature, so sometimes demand outstrips supply.

"With a bit of effort you can really make the Award work for you. It gives extra stimulation to our products both in the export markets and in the UK. We fly the Queen's Award flag at our distillery and it is the first thing customers and visitors to the tourism centre see. We also do mailshots, circulate photos in our newsletter and have a big party for staff and their families at the presentation.

"In fact, the impact internally is probably the greatest of all. Staff talk about the Queen's Award celebration party for days on end, and a staff representative rather than a manager accepts the Award on behalf of everybody. It stimulates the workforce to want to win again, and the development team to come up with innovative marketing ideas and new products.

Business: whisky distillers
Location: Scotland
Employees: 45

BACK TO TOP



The McAvoy Group

Rising export growth up to five times higher than the national average have earned family-owned company The McAvoy Group its first Queen's Award. Based in Dungannon, County Tyrone, The McAvoy Group designs and manufactures modular buildings in steel and timber frames for clients across the health, education, government and commercial sectors.

"For us, the Queen's Award opens doors in both export markets and the UK," says Executive Chairman Bill Mcginnis CBE. "It overcomes the initial questions with new customers asking who are you? It reinforces us as a quality company with a quality product. That's very useful from all sorts of points of view, not least when people are writing open letters of credit, for example, or for suppliers to feel they are dealing with a reliable company.

"Our sales people really like it too - it's always part of their sales pitch and a good talking point. They like the new branding, which makes it appear more modern. No-one else in our industry has one either, which gives us the edge.

Business:  manufacture modular buildings
Location: Northern Ireland
Employees: 190

BACK TO TOP



Ward Shoes

This is the second Queen's Award for Sheffield-based Ward Shoes. The company specialises in selling worn returns, end of range shoes and imperfect footwear, all from well-known manufacturers. Over the application period overseas sales grew by 114%, with 73% of the company's total sales in Year Three exported to 17 different markets, the majority in Africa.

"The biggest benefit is the credibility the Award gives the company," says Derek Moulding, General Manager. "Although many companies are reputable, there are some cowboys in this trade, and having the Queen's Award shows that we do things professionally. Some manufacturers insist that we export the footwear we buy from them, and they need to be sure that when we guarantee that, it won't turn up on market stalls in the UK which would devalue their product. The Award shows we are to be trusted.

"We also use it for publicity purposes. The emblem is on all staff uniforms in the UK shops, and even on our lorry."

Business: footwear
Location: Yorkshire and Humberside
Employees: 15

BACK TO TOP